Carly Stocks
@darkskyutah.bsky.social
Milky Way photographer and teacher.
Teaching you how to capture the night sky.
Tap follow to start your astrophotography journey
Teaching you how to capture the night sky.
Tap follow to start your astrophotography journey
Taking Milky Way pictures in the fall can be tricky because you have a short window to capture images. So you have to plan to make the most of your time…
October 9, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Taking Milky Way pictures in the fall can be tricky because you have a short window to capture images. So you have to plan to make the most of your time…
Harvest Super Moon rising in the night sky last night. A Super Moon happens when the moon is closer to us in its orbit, so it looks larger in the night sky. This is most apparent when the Moon is rising or setting. A Super Moon is also brighter…
October 7, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Harvest Super Moon rising in the night sky last night. A Super Moon happens when the moon is closer to us in its orbit, so it looks larger in the night sky. This is most apparent when the Moon is rising or setting. A Super Moon is also brighter…
Finding characters in the hoodoos is a good way to pass the time. What do you see?
This is a composite image
Canon 6D on the Rokinon 14mm Lens.
Stars - 229 s at f/3.5, ISO 1250 tracked on the iOptron SkyTracker Pro
Foreground- 1/3 s f/5.6 ISO 100
#astro #stargazing #galaxy #milkyway #nightphoto
This is a composite image
Canon 6D on the Rokinon 14mm Lens.
Stars - 229 s at f/3.5, ISO 1250 tracked on the iOptron SkyTracker Pro
Foreground- 1/3 s f/5.6 ISO 100
#astro #stargazing #galaxy #milkyway #nightphoto
May 30, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Finding characters in the hoodoos is a good way to pass the time. What do you see?
This is a composite image
Canon 6D on the Rokinon 14mm Lens.
Stars - 229 s at f/3.5, ISO 1250 tracked on the iOptron SkyTracker Pro
Foreground- 1/3 s f/5.6 ISO 100
#astro #stargazing #galaxy #milkyway #nightphoto
This is a composite image
Canon 6D on the Rokinon 14mm Lens.
Stars - 229 s at f/3.5, ISO 1250 tracked on the iOptron SkyTracker Pro
Foreground- 1/3 s f/5.6 ISO 100
#astro #stargazing #galaxy #milkyway #nightphoto
Do you like the simplicity of a tree-lined horizon and the Milky Way Core, or do you find it boring?
I love a well-composed image with an awesome foreground, middle ground, and the Milky Way sparkling in the background.
I love a well-composed image with an awesome foreground, middle ground, and the Milky Way sparkling in the background.
May 27, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Do you like the simplicity of a tree-lined horizon and the Milky Way Core, or do you find it boring?
I love a well-composed image with an awesome foreground, middle ground, and the Milky Way sparkling in the background.
I love a well-composed image with an awesome foreground, middle ground, and the Milky Way sparkling in the background.
“When there is a thirst for hope, light has no choice but to shine." - Angie Weiland-Crosby
Canon 6D 25.0 sec at f - 3.2 ISO 6400 on the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 lens
#astrophotography #nightsky #nightphoto #milkyway #astronomy #milkywaygalaxy #astrofotografia #utah #lakephotography
Canon 6D 25.0 sec at f - 3.2 ISO 6400 on the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 lens
#astrophotography #nightsky #nightphoto #milkyway #astronomy #milkywaygalaxy #astrofotografia #utah #lakephotography
May 19, 2025 at 2:30 PM
“When there is a thirst for hope, light has no choice but to shine." - Angie Weiland-Crosby
Canon 6D 25.0 sec at f - 3.2 ISO 6400 on the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 lens
#astrophotography #nightsky #nightphoto #milkyway #astronomy #milkywaygalaxy #astrofotografia #utah #lakephotography
Canon 6D 25.0 sec at f - 3.2 ISO 6400 on the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 lens
#astrophotography #nightsky #nightphoto #milkyway #astronomy #milkywaygalaxy #astrofotografia #utah #lakephotography
Happy Mother's Day to the mothers out there, especially to the women who have mothered me throughout my life. As I think about the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and sisters in my life, I realize I am unfairly blessed. These women have helped make me who I am, but none as much as my mother.
May 11, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Happy Mother's Day to the mothers out there, especially to the women who have mothered me throughout my life. As I think about the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and sisters in my life, I realize I am unfairly blessed. These women have helped make me who I am, but none as much as my mother.
If you want to capture the Moon with a bright foreground, tomorrow night is your chance. The May Full Moon, or Flower Moon, will be visible Monday, May 12, 2025, but the nearly full moon (98.3%) will rise during Golden Hour on Sunday, May 11, 2025.
May 10, 2025 at 2:33 PM
If you want to capture the Moon with a bright foreground, tomorrow night is your chance. The May Full Moon, or Flower Moon, will be visible Monday, May 12, 2025, but the nearly full moon (98.3%) will rise during Golden Hour on Sunday, May 11, 2025.
Some nights are made for poetry and stargazing. For standing still in arches of wonder.
Taken May 03, 2024, in Arches National Park
Canon EOS 6D 30.0 sec at f - 4.5 ISO 3200 at 15mm on the TAMRON SP 15-30mm F-2.8 Di VC USD A012 Lens
#astrophotography #nationalpark #arches #Utah #nightphotography
Taken May 03, 2024, in Arches National Park
Canon EOS 6D 30.0 sec at f - 4.5 ISO 3200 at 15mm on the TAMRON SP 15-30mm F-2.8 Di VC USD A012 Lens
#astrophotography #nationalpark #arches #Utah #nightphotography
May 1, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Some nights are made for poetry and stargazing. For standing still in arches of wonder.
Taken May 03, 2024, in Arches National Park
Canon EOS 6D 30.0 sec at f - 4.5 ISO 3200 at 15mm on the TAMRON SP 15-30mm F-2.8 Di VC USD A012 Lens
#astrophotography #nationalpark #arches #Utah #nightphotography
Taken May 03, 2024, in Arches National Park
Canon EOS 6D 30.0 sec at f - 4.5 ISO 3200 at 15mm on the TAMRON SP 15-30mm F-2.8 Di VC USD A012 Lens
#astrophotography #nationalpark #arches #Utah #nightphotography
Stepping stones to the Milky Way.
I found these rocks while exploring the Valley of the Goblins. I only had my Canon 80D with me and knew I couldn't come back that night, so I made do with what I had. I took some artistic license with the placement of the Milky Way.
I found these rocks while exploring the Valley of the Goblins. I only had my Canon 80D with me and knew I couldn't come back that night, so I made do with what I had. I took some artistic license with the placement of the Milky Way.
April 30, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Stepping stones to the Milky Way.
I found these rocks while exploring the Valley of the Goblins. I only had my Canon 80D with me and knew I couldn't come back that night, so I made do with what I had. I took some artistic license with the placement of the Milky Way.
I found these rocks while exploring the Valley of the Goblins. I only had my Canon 80D with me and knew I couldn't come back that night, so I made do with what I had. I took some artistic license with the placement of the Milky Way.
Choosing a lens can be overwhelming. Lens names are descriptive, but only if you understand some key terms. In this post, you'll learn about focal length, a lens's defining feature.
Let me know if you want to see more educational content by liking, sharing, or commenting.
Let me know if you want to see more educational content by liking, sharing, or commenting.
April 23, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Choosing a lens can be overwhelming. Lens names are descriptive, but only if you understand some key terms. In this post, you'll learn about focal length, a lens's defining feature.
Let me know if you want to see more educational content by liking, sharing, or commenting.
Let me know if you want to see more educational content by liking, sharing, or commenting.
In times of turmoil and trouble, we may recite the old Brenton prayer, "O God, Thy sea is so great and my boat is so small." But on this Easter Sunday, let us remember that hope is the overarching message of Easter, Passover, Ramadan, Holi, and other spring holidays.
April 20, 2025 at 6:42 PM
In times of turmoil and trouble, we may recite the old Brenton prayer, "O God, Thy sea is so great and my boat is so small." But on this Easter Sunday, let us remember that hope is the overarching message of Easter, Passover, Ramadan, Holi, and other spring holidays.
What you may not realize about a 14 mm lens is how close you need to stand to something to get it to fill the frame. These hoodoos are about ten feet tall, and I had to stand 4 feet from them. ⠀
April 19, 2025 at 4:47 PM
What you may not realize about a 14 mm lens is how close you need to stand to something to get it to fill the frame. These hoodoos are about ten feet tall, and I had to stand 4 feet from them. ⠀
Resilience—I am always amazed by a tree's ability to grow on a rock. I find equal amazement when observing people's resilience.
Ironically in the daylight, this tree escaped my notice, but while standing under it taking a panorama, I noticed it silhouetted against the starry sky…
Ironically in the daylight, this tree escaped my notice, but while standing under it taking a panorama, I noticed it silhouetted against the starry sky…
April 16, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Resilience—I am always amazed by a tree's ability to grow on a rock. I find equal amazement when observing people's resilience.
Ironically in the daylight, this tree escaped my notice, but while standing under it taking a panorama, I noticed it silhouetted against the starry sky…
Ironically in the daylight, this tree escaped my notice, but while standing under it taking a panorama, I noticed it silhouetted against the starry sky…
“The Earth has music for those who listen.” — George Santayana
Single image taken on October 06, 2024, in Iceland
Canon EOS 6D 13.0 sec at f - 3.2 ISO 3200 TAMRON SP 15-30mm F-2.8 Di VC USD
#nightphotography #aurora #auroraborealis #northernlights #astrophotography #astrophotographer
Single image taken on October 06, 2024, in Iceland
Canon EOS 6D 13.0 sec at f - 3.2 ISO 3200 TAMRON SP 15-30mm F-2.8 Di VC USD
#nightphotography #aurora #auroraborealis #northernlights #astrophotography #astrophotographer
April 10, 2025 at 2:31 PM
“The Earth has music for those who listen.” — George Santayana
Single image taken on October 06, 2024, in Iceland
Canon EOS 6D 13.0 sec at f - 3.2 ISO 3200 TAMRON SP 15-30mm F-2.8 Di VC USD
#nightphotography #aurora #auroraborealis #northernlights #astrophotography #astrophotographer
Single image taken on October 06, 2024, in Iceland
Canon EOS 6D 13.0 sec at f - 3.2 ISO 3200 TAMRON SP 15-30mm F-2.8 Di VC USD
#nightphotography #aurora #auroraborealis #northernlights #astrophotography #astrophotographer
The full moon gets all the hype, but you should observe the crescent moon tonight in the western sky just after sunset. Take a breath and remember how magical it felt to be a kid looking up at the moon.
Here are a couple of my favorite crescent moon images.
Here are a couple of my favorite crescent moon images.
April 3, 2025 at 2:50 PM
The full moon gets all the hype, but you should observe the crescent moon tonight in the western sky just after sunset. Take a breath and remember how magical it felt to be a kid looking up at the moon.
Here are a couple of my favorite crescent moon images.
Here are a couple of my favorite crescent moon images.
Spread the word! A partial solar eclipse is coming in the morning on March 29, 2025.
Learn where to view it and how to capture stunning photos in these slides
#astrophotography #astronomy #solareclipse #eclipse #backyardastronomy #sun #ringoffire
Learn where to view it and how to capture stunning photos in these slides
#astrophotography #astronomy #solareclipse #eclipse #backyardastronomy #sun #ringoffire
March 28, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Spread the word! A partial solar eclipse is coming in the morning on March 29, 2025.
Learn where to view it and how to capture stunning photos in these slides
#astrophotography #astronomy #solareclipse #eclipse #backyardastronomy #sun #ringoffire
Learn where to view it and how to capture stunning photos in these slides
#astrophotography #astronomy #solareclipse #eclipse #backyardastronomy #sun #ringoffire
Grandma and her favorite horse seemed like a fitting foreground to honor her adventurous spirit today. I started my night photography journey soon after her passing, but I wish I could have talked her into joining me under the stars. Maybe sometimes she does. We love and miss you, Grandma.
March 19, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Grandma and her favorite horse seemed like a fitting foreground to honor her adventurous spirit today. I started my night photography journey soon after her passing, but I wish I could have talked her into joining me under the stars. Maybe sometimes she does. We love and miss you, Grandma.
A rare Blood Moon is coming on March 13–14, 2025, and you don’t want to miss it!
This total lunar eclipse will be visible in North & South America, Europe, Africa, parts of Asia & Australia.
Swipe through to learn:
When & where to watch
How to view it safely
This total lunar eclipse will be visible in North & South America, Europe, Africa, parts of Asia & Australia.
Swipe through to learn:
When & where to watch
How to view it safely
March 13, 2025 at 3:02 PM
A rare Blood Moon is coming on March 13–14, 2025, and you don’t want to miss it!
This total lunar eclipse will be visible in North & South America, Europe, Africa, parts of Asia & Australia.
Swipe through to learn:
When & where to watch
How to view it safely
This total lunar eclipse will be visible in North & South America, Europe, Africa, parts of Asia & Australia.
Swipe through to learn:
When & where to watch
How to view it safely
"Hope" - Thick clouds made star trails seem impossible. Before sunrise, the clouds started to clear, and I could see stars peeking through. There may even be a meteor streaking through the sky. The way the stars glow through the lingering clouds reminds me of the concept of hope.
March 12, 2025 at 3:31 PM
"Hope" - Thick clouds made star trails seem impossible. Before sunrise, the clouds started to clear, and I could see stars peeking through. There may even be a meteor streaking through the sky. The way the stars glow through the lingering clouds reminds me of the concept of hope.
It is a rare treat to witness a wildflower super-bloom in the deserts of the American Southwest. Because of this, I chose to highlight the flowers by creating a space with a few bokeh stars in the background for asymmetrical balance.
February 27, 2025 at 3:50 PM
It is a rare treat to witness a wildflower super-bloom in the deserts of the American Southwest. Because of this, I chose to highlight the flowers by creating a space with a few bokeh stars in the background for asymmetrical balance.
Some of my first star trails and the first time I heard howling nearby at night. The sheep in the pens near me didn't seem too worried, so I stayed put and got the shot. As a kid, I was afraid of the dark. I felt proud of myself for being brave. Is anyone else out there a former scaredy-cat? ...
February 26, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Some of my first star trails and the first time I heard howling nearby at night. The sheep in the pens near me didn't seem too worried, so I stayed put and got the shot. As a kid, I was afraid of the dark. I felt proud of myself for being brave. Is anyone else out there a former scaredy-cat? ...
I try to capture the feeling of being under a dark sky in my images. I want the viewer to feel peace and connection to the world around them. In remote locations like the Valley of the Temple of the Sun and Moon in Capitol Reef National Park, one can truly experience silence…
February 23, 2025 at 4:26 PM
I try to capture the feeling of being under a dark sky in my images. I want the viewer to feel peace and connection to the world around them. In remote locations like the Valley of the Temple of the Sun and Moon in Capitol Reef National Park, one can truly experience silence…
If you find yourself in a dark sky location and unable to sleep at 4:00 am in February, bundle up, walk outside, and watch the Southeastern horizon. You will be rewarded with some of the first Milky Way rises of the season….
February 19, 2025 at 7:05 PM
If you find yourself in a dark sky location and unable to sleep at 4:00 am in February, bundle up, walk outside, and watch the Southeastern horizon. You will be rewarded with some of the first Milky Way rises of the season….
The Milky Way, Snow White, and the Seven Dwarfs in Goblin Valley, Utah.
The hoodoos of Goblin Valley provide endless compositions and many are within a short walk of the parking lot. This helps those who carry a lot of gear, aren’t fond of hiking, or don’t want to brave the dive-bombing bats…
The hoodoos of Goblin Valley provide endless compositions and many are within a short walk of the parking lot. This helps those who carry a lot of gear, aren’t fond of hiking, or don’t want to brave the dive-bombing bats…
February 19, 2025 at 3:28 AM
The Milky Way, Snow White, and the Seven Dwarfs in Goblin Valley, Utah.
The hoodoos of Goblin Valley provide endless compositions and many are within a short walk of the parking lot. This helps those who carry a lot of gear, aren’t fond of hiking, or don’t want to brave the dive-bombing bats…
The hoodoos of Goblin Valley provide endless compositions and many are within a short walk of the parking lot. This helps those who carry a lot of gear, aren’t fond of hiking, or don’t want to brave the dive-bombing bats…
"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike."
John Muir, The Yosemite (1912), page 256.
Nine images are stacked and processed in Starry Landscape Stacker to reduce noise….
John Muir, The Yosemite (1912), page 256.
Nine images are stacked and processed in Starry Landscape Stacker to reduce noise….
February 17, 2025 at 10:01 PM
"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike."
John Muir, The Yosemite (1912), page 256.
Nine images are stacked and processed in Starry Landscape Stacker to reduce noise….
John Muir, The Yosemite (1912), page 256.
Nine images are stacked and processed in Starry Landscape Stacker to reduce noise….